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The Gazette GAITHERSBURG | MONTGOMERY VILLAGE
DAILY UPDATES ONLINE www.gazette.net
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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For many, snow’s a budget blowout Some cursing, some enjoying winter’s icy grip n
BY
GAZETTE STAFF
Winter has wrought a meltdown on the budgets of many local governments, but for some businesses this year’s snowfall has been a windfall. Monday’s wintry blast, with about 4 to 8 inches falling throughout Montgomery County, was the latest blow.
CALLING ALL
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
A team of snowplows works its way down Md. 355 in Gaithersburg on Monday.
NEW MONTGOMERY SHELTER NOW OPEN Center prepared to shelter dogs, cats, livestock, birds, reptiles n
BY JENN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
Spencer, a 3-year-old Chihuahua mix, was frightened when he came to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center as a stray on Feb. 26. Two days later, with the help of nurturing staff, he was comfortably gobbling up treats and excitedly licking his human admirers. Spencer is one of many animals moving into rooms at the new $20 million Derwood shelter, which opened on Sunday.
PHOTOS BY DAN GROSS/THE GAZETTE
See SNOW, Page A-8
Katherine Zenzano, a community outreach coordinator for the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division, holds Lulu, a 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat at the new Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Gaithersburg.
ANIMAL LOVERS: Spencer, a 3-year-old Chihuahua mix, was scared when he came in as a stray on Feb. 26, but after two days of interaction in the shelter, he had become much more confident.
In Gaithersburg, there is little opportunity to save money on snow days because of the high cost of the city’s snow removal services and materials, according to City Manager Tony Tomasello. “True, the buildings are (mostly) dark and there are probably some reduced utilities, but there is little chance that offsets the overtime and materials (salt, sand, etc.) costs that
Parents rally for school construction money
The 49,160-square-foot facility at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road replaces the county animal shelter on Rothgeb Drive in Rockville, which is operated by the Montgomery County Humane Society. The county contracted with the Humane Society to continue running the old shelter until the end of March, allowing for a transition time between the two centers. In July 2010, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved the use of seven acres of a 51-acre parcel at the corner of Muncaster Mill and Airpark Roads for the new shelter, after county officials deemed the old one, which was built in 1975, overcrowded and in need of renovations. Construction on the new facility, which is more
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Leggett and other leaders to join rally and push for action in 2014
BY KATE S. ALEXANDER AND LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITERS
As Maryland lawmakers brace for a potential multi-year battle on school construction funding, the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations will rally this week to make sure Maryland’s
See SHELTER, Page A-8
General Assembly knows just how big Montgomery’s overcrowding problem has become. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Craig L. Rice, school board President Philip Kauffman and Public Schools Superintendent Joshua P. Starr are expected to headline the Thursday evening rally in Annapolis and make the case for Montgomery. Leggett (D) said the program sought by his county, as well as Prince George’s and Baltimore counties,
See PARENTS, Page A-8
Pilot reaches for the sky to help those in need n
Gaithersburg man provides free air transportation to patients who have distant appointments BY JENN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
Growing up in South Africa, Mark Ross fueled his love for aviation by flying hot air balloons and building model airplanes. Now, he’s using his passion for the sky to help others in need. Since 2011, the licensed private pilot and Gaithersburg resident has dedicated his own time and money working
with Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, a nonprofit organization that uses over 700 volunteer pilots to transport patients to distant, specialized medical centers for appointments. All participating pilots are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, and donate their time, skills, plane and fuel to complete the missions. Ross flies out of Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg in his Piper Meridian aircraft to meet up with patients at other destinations and take them to their appointments. In honor of his service and commitment, Angel Flight recently awarded Ross with Maryland’s Angel Flight Pilot of the Year award, which recognizes pi-
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Teressa French
ANGEL FLIGHT MID-ATLANTIC
Mark Ross, a Gaithersburg resident and volunteer pilot with Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, sits at the controls of his Piper Meridian aircraft.
See PILOT, Page A-5
SPORTS
NEWS
Council members said the first comprehensive revision since 1978 will make the county’s zoning laws simpler and more accessible for residents.
lots who go above and beyond in their service. Jacqueline O’Dell, assistant director of public affairs for the organization, said Ross was chosen for the award because of his reliability and flexibility in his schedule to take on a high number of flights. Ross has flown 15-20 trips for the organization. “All of the pilots have the heart and desire to help our patients, but unfortunately not everyone has the flexibility,” she said. When patients request a flight, they must pass medical clearance to make sure they are physically able to fly and
Covenant Life community uses basketball to work out grief of two deaths in three days.
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